Fantasy Football Files - 2025/26 - Gameweek 38 - 'The Last Dance'

This disaster of a season was finally ending. Despite finishing the campaign well, I still wanted it to be over as I was thoroughly disappointed with how things had gone. My friend of over 20 years Delvin was my opponent. He was a consistent FPL manager and had been in the mix for the top 4 but fell away in the clutch.

I had saved two free transfers as usually on the last day I have to end up taking a points deduction for the players I wanted to get in. As it would be my last chance I wanted to get Mo Salah back into my team. This would not have been the case had Manchester City still been in the title race, as Arsenal were now champions, I could get Salah in for one last dance by selling Erling Haaland. Up front I looked at Taty Castellanos and Richarlison but opted for Eli Kroupi Jr. instead. This then freed up the budget to bring Salah back in. I was going to sell Harry Wilson for him however; I ended up selling Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as I did not know how strong a team Everton would play. Delvin did not bother to change his team as he probably as he was not bothered as he could not make the top 4 anymore. His team Arsenal are the champions, so I am sure he really did not care regardless. I captained Salah for the last dance, whilst Delvin’s captaincy was with Haaland.

Delvin got the better of things at the Amex Stadium as Manchester United beat Brighton 3-0. Pascal Gross did nothing while Bruno Fernandes broke the record for assists in a Premier League season. His 21st assist should not have stood though as Patrick Dorgu’s header hit the bar so therefore as it touched the keeper afterward it should have been given as an own goal. Not the first time the rules have been bent for United eh…it’s a joke, calm down United fans. As my opponent had not changed his team, he was down to 10 men as Kaoru Mitoma was out injured. Fernandes scored the third goal with a good finish as he got 14 points. Arsenal ended the campaign with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace before they were able to lift the Premier League trophy. Gabriel Magalhaes was only on the bench so only returned a single point for my opponent.

After all that, Wilson was only on the bench for Fulham for their home match with Newcastle. He still luckily in his last game for the club came on to assist a goal for Tom Cairney as the Cottagers won 2-0. My team Liverpool hosted Brentford knowing a win would guarantee fifth place and Champions League football. I almost pulled off a masterstroke (pause) as Salah hit the post with a first half free-kick. In the second half, the Reds caught the Bees on the break and a lovely ball from Salah with the outside of his foot was put in by Curtis Jones. I was bittersweet as I knew this was the last time ever. Arne Slot’s men could not hold on to the lead though as Kevin Schade levelled things as once again Liverpool could not defend a ball into the box. It was to end 1-1, so no points from Virgil van Dijk or Dominik Szoboszlai for me and Igor Thiago blanked for Delvin.

Manchester City had been defeated since they lost to Manchester United in mid-January, but Aston Villa got past them on the last day 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. I left Ollie Watkins on the bench as I did not think he would start after Villa’s Europa League triumph and he went on to get a brace. I started Rayan Cherki in his place and then I was given some information just before the deadline that Cherki was not in the starting XI, so it was fair to Delvin I did not use the info to change my team I just left it the same. Haaland did not play at all, so my opponent’s captaincy went over to Cherki who just got a single point off the bench. At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth drew 1-1, that saw the Cherries qualify for the Europa League. Morgan Gibbs-White scored his 15th of the season and still did not make the England squad for the World Cup. I should not have sold him as he has still produced even when I did not think he would be used. Marcus Tavernier got the equaliser as Andoni Iraola signed off at Bournemouth. Unfortunately, Kroupi did not do what I needed. Adrien Truffert was in my opponent’s team, and he assisted the goal so ended with 6 points.

I was up against Joao Pedro as Chelsea travelled to Sunderland. The Black Cats were to get a 2-1 victory which helped them qualify for the Europa League. An outstanding achievement for a team who were tipped to go down in their return to the Premier League. Delvin and I both had Nordi Mukiele and he got 4 points thanks to his defensive contributions. Pedro’s non-return helped me massively. I showed massive faith in Tottenham as I put Antonin Kinsky and Pedro Porro in my fantasy XI. In the only game to have just one goal in on the last day, Spurs won 1-0 to make sure they stayed in the Premier League. Everton almost got an equaliser near the death as Tyrique George caused problems but other than that it was a quiet game mostly for their defence as my double up worked. Jordan Pickford was Delvin’s keeper so nothing there. Conor Gallagher hit the side netting so only ended with 3 points for my opponent. West Ham beat Leeds 3-0 with three second half goals, although it did not matter because of Spurs’ win. Jarrod Bowen was the most transferred in player and eventually produced as his corner was headed in by Taty for the first goal as the Argentine showed he was the better forward option than Kroupi this week. Bowen then added the second with a fine finish on the break on his weaker right foot, as he went on to accumulate 12 points helping me to a 56-35 triumph.

In terms of the Justice League money positions; Darren B. came first and Eman came second. Khurram who is 'Mr. Consistent' ended in third and Ravi was fourth. The highest score in a week went to Eman in gameweek 33, he got 137 points when he used his bench boost.

I ended the season with 5 wins and finished in 13^th in the ‘Justice League’. A disappointing league finish although I concluded the season in good form. I finished in the top 2 million in the world which was poor compared to numerous other FPL seasons. I did win the ‘90’s Mags Cup’ and the ‘Lords of the League Cup’ as I beat Khurram in both finals and they are the only real positives that I can take to be honest. I am glad this is all over; I need a break from the heartbreak this campaign with the combination of Liverpool’s diabolical season and my FPL debacle. I say I will not get involved with World Cup fantasy football, knowing me I will end up picking ateam anyway. Thanks to anyone who has read FFF, enjoy the World Cup and I will see you in August. 

@DubulDee